Chapter 228
**Chapter 226: Family Visit**
Zhao Yang frowned slightly.
This warm scene before her eyes suddenly made Princess Zhao Yang feel a wave of nausea.
How could she have fallen for such a fickle man? She must have been blind back then.
The disgust in her eyes was palpable as she swept out of the Yan family’s courtyard and quickly took a carriage back to the princess’s residence.
As the carriage moved slowly, Zhao Yang couldn’t help but feel increasingly foolish, as if her mind had rusted, leading her to act so stupidly.
She muttered to herself, “I didn’t sleep last night, and my head’s all muddled. I actually thought of going to find him.”
A dignified princess, running off to a subject’s home—what a disgrace to the royal family.
She turned to Yun’er and said, “If I ever act foolishly again, you must stop me! Block the door and don’t let me out.”
Yun’er replied, “...Yes.”
Zhao Yang pressed her fingers against her temples; she hadn’t slept a wink last night, and her head throbbed painfully. She decided to return to the palace and get a good rest, free from the chaos of emotions, and focus wholeheartedly on preparing for marriage.
...
A few days later, the Yongning Palace was bustling with activity. Shen Wei had sent someone to move a box of medicinal herbs. The emperor had issued a decree for Shen Wei to return to the Shen family to visit her relatives.
The visit of the Consort Shen was no small matter.
However, Shen Wei didn’t want to make a big fuss and chose to return to the Shen residence quietly. She knew that the more extravagant the display, the more likely it would attract criticism. She had Cai Lian pack up precious herbs, fine fabrics, and some gold and silver trinkets, all placed into boxes to take back to the Shen residence.
Shen Wei only brought Cai Lian, De Shun, and two guards, and the carriage left the palace discreetly.
The streets of Yanjing were lively.
Sitting in the carriage, Shen Wei listened to the bustling sounds of vendors outside and felt quite pleased. The palace was grand and luxurious, but it felt like a massive gilded cage; Shen Wei preferred the mundane world outside.
The carriage moved along quietly.
On the same wide street, the carriage of the Duke of Lu was parked by the roadside, and the servants bowed their heads, willingly making way for Shen Wei’s carriage.
Lu Ying lifted the curtain of her carriage and caught sight of the luxurious royal carriage. She curled her lips in disdain and said, “At least she’s a consort, but what a small affair for her family visit.”
Clearly, the emperor didn’t hold Consort Shen in high regard either.
Lu Ying then looked eagerly at her father, the Duke of Lu, and pleaded, “Father, I don’t want to go back to Yunzhou. Please let me stay in the palace; I want to accompany my pregnant sister.”
The news of Lu Xian’s pregnancy hadn’t been made public yet, but the close family members were all aware.
The Duke of Lu replied irritably, “Nonsense! You’re just an unmarried girl from Yunying; it’s rare for you to stay in the palace without drawing laughter.”
Lu Ying protested, “Sister can’t serve the emperor properly because she’s pregnant. Other consorts will surely seize the opportunity to vie for favor and take away her love—if I could enter the palace as a consort, I could help her.”
She wanted to enter the palace as a consort; she didn’t want to return to Yunzhou.
The Duke of Lu’s expression darkened. “Nonsense! Your sister is currently favored; why would you want to stir up trouble?”
Lu Ying lowered her head in dissatisfaction, secretly hoping that Lu Xian would soon fall out of favor.
If her sister lost favor, her father would surely send Lu Ying into the palace to uphold the family’s honor.
...
The Shen residence was quite large, a gift from Li Yuanjing to the Shen family some time ago. It was in a prime location, very close to the imperial city.
The entrance was festooned with colorful decorations, and Shen Mieyue, Shen Xiuming, Shen Mu, and Shen Qiang were all present, along with a dozen newly purchased servants, eagerly awaiting her arrival.
Before long, a eunuch came to announce that Consort Shen was almost there.
Shen Xiuming craned his neck, anxiously looking out. At the end of the long street, two royal carriages approached discreetly. Shen Xiuming frowned slightly; his sister was coming home, yet the display was so modest...
He had heard that last year, when Consort Lu Xian returned to Yunzhou for a family visit, the spectacle was grand, with a procession of nearly a hundred eunuchs, palace maids, and guards, all extravagantly arranged.
For a consort, his sister’s family visit was almost devoid of any grandeur.
Shen Xiuming felt a dull ache in his heart.
The servants of the Shen family lit firecrackers and set off fireworks. As the last of the firecrackers fizzled out, Shen Wei’s carriage rolled over the remnants and slowly arrived at the entrance of the residence. Cai Lian lifted the curtain and helped Shen Wei down from the carriage.
“Greetings, Consort Shen.”
The crowd at the entrance knelt in unison.
With the distinction between ruler and subject, Shen Wei’s status was naturally elevated after marrying into the royal family. Her family had to kneel and pay their respects.
Shen Wei smiled and said, “No need to kneel; we’re family, no need for such formality.”
Amidst the crowd, Shen Wei stepped into the Shen family’s grand residence. The Shen house was spacious, with new decorations in the courtyard, and the flowers and plants had yet to fully grow.
Once inside, she dismissed the servants.
Shen Mu could no longer hold back her tears, which fell like pearls from a broken string. With tear-filled eyes, she looked at Shen Wei and choked out, “My girl, you... you’ve suffered these past years.”
Shen Wei replied, “Mother, I haven’t suffered.”
Shen Mu was too choked up to speak.
With no outsiders present, after a round of reminiscing, Shen Wei finally began to discuss serious matters. She told Shen Mieyue, “Elder brother, you must not stay in Yanjing for long. You need to return to Liangzhou City soon.”
Only by returning to Liangzhou could Shen Mieyue continue to lead the hundred thousand troops, ensuring the Shen family’s strength.
There were many in the court eyeing the Shen family’s military power.
Shen Mieyue nodded steadily. “I understand. The emperor intends for me to escort the princess to her marriage; once that task is complete, I will return to Liangzhou to guard it.”
Shen Wei nodded and then told Shen Xiuming, “Most children from prominent families serve in Yanjing; if you stay here, it will be hard to achieve anything. You’re still young, and you should spend a few more years gaining experience in the local governments. Those places may be remote, but they’re the easiest for making a name for yourself. Once you’ve built up enough capital for promotion, you can return to the capital and surely secure a significant position.”
Shen Xiuming was taken aback.
But he also felt that Shen Wei’s words made a lot of sense.
Shen Mieyue patted Shen Xiuming on the shoulder. “Listen to Consort Shen; spend a few more years gaining experience in the provinces. As long as you do well, you’ll have a bright future ahead, with titles and positions waiting for you.”
Shen Mieyue felt even more admiration for Shen Wei. With her foresight and long-term vision, she was truly the helmsman of the Shen family.
Shen Xiuming frowned. “But... but I want to stay in Yanjing...”
Suddenly, Shen Qiang, who had been silent, spoke up, “Brother, you should go work in the provinces. Mother will take care of the estate; it’s by the mountains and rivers, with abundant resources, perfect for living.”
In recent years, Shen Qiang had been managing a large plot of land in Nanshan. She had become capable and composed, her eyes always shining with vitality.
She was no longer the discarded woman she once was.
The crops and orchards she tended had yielded bountiful harvests year after year.
Shen Qiang was living happily every day, doing what she loved, feeling fulfilled.
Shen Xiuming pursed his lips and finally nodded after a long pause. “Alright, I’ll ask the emperor for permission tomorrow.”
Shen Wei smiled. Her return to the Shen family today was not just to visit her family, but more importantly, to discuss the future direction of the Shen family’s development.
The rise of a family often requires a guiding hand.
As noon approached, it was time for lunch.
Shen Mu and Shen Qiang personally cooked, preparing a lavish spread. At the lunch table, Shen Mu looked worriedly at Shen Wei’s gaunt face. “Eat more. I heard the imperial chefs are exceptional; how come you’ve lost weight?”
Shen Wei bit into a piece of sauced ribs, remaining silent.
She couldn’t eat too much in the palace; it was easy to gain weight.
Shen Mu piled the best food in front of Shen Wei, then her gaze shifted to Shen Mieyue, who was happily devouring his meal.
Shen Mu worriedly said, “Elder brother, you’re almost thirty; when will you get married?”
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